HC Deb 19 March 1867 vol 186 cc210-1

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."—(Sir Colman O' Loghlen.)

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, he objected to proceeding with such an important Bill at that late hour (quarter past twelve.) That measure and the one which immediately followed it (Transubstantiation, &c., Declaration Bill) involved important constitutional questions which must be considered together, and it would be impossible properly to debate theist at that hour. There were many Amendments on the paper respecting it, and he thought it impossible that they could make any progress with the measure at that sitting. He should therefore move that the House do now adjourn.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—(Mr. Newdegate.)

MR. COGAN

said, he hoped that his hon. and learned Friend the Member for Clare would be allowed to go into Committee. After the lengthened debate and the exciting scenes which had already taken place, his hon. and learned Friend would be satisfied if the Bill were committed pro formâ. As a matter of courtesy he hoped this would be conceded.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he had supported this Bill at every stage, and was still prepared to give it his best adhesion. At the same time, though limited in extent, the Bill certainly did involve serious constitutional questions which the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Newdegate) consistently treated as belonging to a very high range of politics. A debate of somewhat unusual length and animation on a subject of considerable interest had already taken place that evening. He could not but think that the hon. Member for North Warwickshire was justified in objecting to going on with the Bill at present, and he should therefore recommend his hon. Friend not to press his Motion.

MR. GREGORY

said, he hoped the hon. Member for North Warwickshire in any future discussion of the Bill would meet them in a fair and honourable spirit, and that no vexatious delays would be interposed to the progress of the Bill.

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, he could assure the hon. Member that his only wish was that the House should fully understand the great and important principle involved in the question.

SIR COLMAN O'LOGHLEN

said, that as the hon. Member for North Warwickshire objected to going into Committee on the Bill at present, and as the right hon. Member for South Lancashire recommended that he should not press his Motion, he would give notice of the Committee on the Bill for that day week.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Original Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Committee deferred till Tuesday next.

House adjourned at half after Twelve o'clock.